The Shield's Michael Jace Pleads Not Guilty to Wife's Murder

On Wednesday, the 51-year-old actor plead not guilty to a murder charge in the May 19 shooting death of his wife, April Jace, E! News can confirm.

Michael was arrested when LAPD responded to a 911 call directing police to the couple's Hyde Park home. He's been held in jail on $2 million bail since the arrest, and was officially charged with murder on May 22. A protective order was issued for him to stay 100 yards away from his and April's two sons.

The actor and April, a counselor in the financial aid office of Biola University, were married for nine years prior to the fatal shooting. A statement from the family of his late wife, obtained by NBC L.A., said: "We cannot reverse the senseless violence that resulted in April's death but we can invest in the lives of her innocent children that are paying the price for it."

Michael remains in custody, and his preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 1.